Project Mage

"So, you've finally come out to confront me face to face, Kintovar." The headmaster said

Kintovar held a hand over her pink headphones and playfully gestured for the Headmaster to speak louder. A mischievous smile danced on her lips.

The Headmaster's frustration boiled over as she shouted, "Take those ugly things off, Kintovar!"

Kintovar, still wearing a playful smile, responded to the Headmaster's demand. She raised her hand towards her ear, gesturing as if to say, "Louder, please," and then obliged by lowering her pink headphones to rest around her neck.

Headmaster Aimathema, her aura flaring with anger, retorted sharply, "You underestimate the necessity of my actions, Kintovar. It was a calculated decision for the survival of the academy. The scientists were a liability, and their technology threatened the balance of power. I will not be judged by someone who coddles artificial creations!"

Kintovar began to explain her perspective. "Headmaster Aimathema, you may not believe in Technical Magic, but that does not negate its existence. It's a form that resides within Roselle, Risebelle and Runebelle. It perfectly showcased what science and magic can achieve together, a fusion that transcends conventional understanding!"

Kintovar's demeanor shifted. She twirled gracefully. Her finger and twirling came to a stop when she faced Aimathema. She pointed directly at them, "These 'artificial creations,' as you call them, are living beings with their own experiences, emotions, and a purpose they've chosen for themselves. They are not just vessels for power but individuals who deserve the chance to define their destinies."

"And, Headmaster Aimathema, they possess something you may find inconceivable but is nonetheless true. They have souls, just like any other living being," she declared with unwavering certainty.

Headmaster Aimathema scoffed at the notion, her disbelief apparent. "Souls?" she retorted with a dismissive tone. "That's impossible, Kintovar. Don't delude yourself. These creations of yours may have extraordinary abilities, but the concept of a soul is beyond their reach."

Kintovar countered the Headmaster's statement with a quick retort. "They do have souls, Headmaster Aimathema. A fusion of science and magic has given birth to sentient beings with their own unique essence. Their existence challenges the boundaries of what is possible, but that is precisely what makes them remarkable."

Headmaster Aimathema scoffed, her skepticism unwavering. "You expect me to believe in the existence of souls within these artificial creations? It's preposterous, Kintovar. You're being blinded by your sentimentality."

Kintovar approached Risebelle and gently lifted her into her arms. Risebelle's cheeks flushed with a sudden warmth, and she averted her gaze, unable to meet Kintovar's eyes. With Risebelle in her arms, Kintovar turned her attention back to Headmaster Aimathema,

"Headmaster Aimathema, I have observed their emotions, their growth, and their capacity for empathy. Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle have displayed a range of emotions, from joy and curiosity to sorrow and compassion. These are not mere simulations; they are genuine emotional responses that reflect the complexity of their inner worlds."

The Headmaster remained skeptical. "Emotions can be simulated, Kintovar. It's a product of their programming, not evidence of a soul."

Kintovar's gaze remained steady as she responded, "I assure you, hag. Their emotions go beyond mere programming. They have shown kindness, empathy, and desire. These are qualities that cannot be replicated through mere algorithms."

Risebelle, still blushing and avoiding eye contact, softly murmured, "She's right, We do feel these things..."

Headmaster Aimathema, her patience dwindling, clenched her fists in frustration. "This is all nonsense!" she shouted vehemently. "I will not accept such outlandish claims, Kintovar. You have always been too idealistic for your own good. These creations of yours are nothing more than elaborate experiments, not sentient beings with souls."

Kintovar's gaze remained unwavering, her resolve unshaken. "It appears we have reached a point where we will never agree," she acknowledged with a solemn tone. "Our perspectives are fundamentally different.”

Kintovar raised a lipstick container with the label "Lip Glaze." She then turned her attention back to the Headmaster.

"Let's return to the matter at hand," Kintovar declared. She held up the Lip Glaze container and shaked it. "This, Headmaster Aimathema, is the key to your defeat."

The Headmaster’s face shifted from frustration to curiosity. She glanced at the lip glaze lipstick that Kintovar held. Her eyes narrowed and she asked with a hint of skepticism, "The key to my defeat? A mere lipstick? No,no,no, don't play games with me, Kintovar."

Kintovar met the Headmaster's skeptical gaze with a calm and measured demeanor.

"You see, Aimathema," Kintovar began raising one finger, "you were not the only one collecting magical energy from the forest. I, too, have a Mana Extractor, specifically designed to counter the ones scattered throughout the forest. Each time one of your devices was destroyed, my Mana Extractor collected the magical energy released."

The Headmaster's eyes widened in realization as she processed Kintovar's words. A glimmer of understanding began to shine through her skepticism.

"So, you've been siphoning off the energy that I've been collecting," the Headmaster concluded.

Kintovar nodded, confirming the Headmaster's deduction. "Indeed, Headmaster. I've been gathering that energy, and with it, I have formulated a special magical concoction using the Lip Glaze lipstick. This lipstick holds the concentrated magical energy of the forest, and it can counter the power you've harnessed."

The Headmaster's skepticism began to waver as she contemplated the implications of Kintovar's revelation. It was becoming clear that this lipstick held the potential to disrupt her plans.

The Headmaster wanted nothing more than to crush Kintovar once and for all. She seethed anger while giving an evilish grin. "Very well, if you think a mere lipstick will save you, Kintovar, then you underestimate my power, just like everyone else has today.”

She turned her attention to the frozen mages, her eyes ablaze with psychic energy. "Attack, my loyal mages," she commanded with authority. "Don't let her use that lipstick!"

One of the mages hesitated for a moment, then mustered the courage to speak. "Uhhh…Headmaster? Sorry to say this ma’am but we can't move when you're unleashing so much power..”

“Unbelievable…very well then.”

The Headmaster was not one to be deterred. She immediately took action to address the issue. She extended her psychic energy to envelop the immobilized mages, creating a psychic barrier around the lot of them that allowed them to move freely once more.

"Now Attack! Fire until you’re out of magic!"

The Headmaster's command spurred the mages into action. With the psychic barrier in place, they began to move towards Kintovar, Roselle, Risebelle, and Runebelle. As they approached, their voices rose in a chorus of disdain.

One of the mages, a young woman with fiery red hair raised her hand. She conjured a swirling vortex of flames. "Technology is an abomination to all of mankind!" she proclaimed with fervor. "It has no place in our world of magic!"

Another mage, a stern-looking man with a penchant for lightning magic, crackled with electricity as he advanced. "These artificial creations are an affront to the purity of our craft," he declared, “We will rid this world of their pathetic existence! For the entire world’s sake, die Kintovar!"

The mages unleashed their elemental powers, sending torrents of fire, ice, lightning, and earth towards Kintovar and her creations. The attacks were powerful and relentless.

As the mages unleashed their elemental powers, Kintovar, lacking magical abilities, found herself unable to defend against the onslaught. She did her best to shield Risebelle, lowering her gently to the ground, but she had no means to counteract the attacks.

The mages' elemental assaults continued to pummel Kintovar relentlessly.

Kintovar, her body battered and scorched from the relentless barrage of elemental attacks, fell to the ground, her form limp and unmoving. The mages and the Headmaster believed their victory was assured, and a sense of triumph filled the air.

The Headmaster raised her hands into the air. "At last, Kintovar has been defeated!" she proclaimed with a sense of finality. "Her creations are no match for the might of magic!"

The mages joined in the celebration with jubilation. They all believed they had successfully eliminated the threat of technology and Kintovar's creations.

One of the mages, the fiery-haired woman, grinned with satisfaction. "I knew it! Technology is nothing compared to the true power of magic," she declared confidently “Our world will be purged of these abominations. With Kintovar gone, we can crush her creations with ease!"

Another mage, the one with lightning magic, added, "With Kintovar out of the way, we can restore the purity of our craft. Magic will reign supreme!"

As the celebration of their victory echoed through the battlefield, Risebelle's shocked face turned into one of deep concern. She gazed at Kintovar's seemingly lifeless body on the ground curiously raising one hand under her chin.

“This can’t be right...”

“DR.KINTOVAAAR!!!!”

Roselle's scream pierced the air with anguish. She rushed to Kintovar's side, kneeling beside her creator and shaking her gently. "Kintovar! Wake up, please!" she pleaded, tears welling up in her innocent blue eyes.

The Headmaster and the mages paid little attention to the sudden change in the atmosphere. They believed they had won, unaware of the potential surprise that awaited them.

The Headmaster's triumphant gaze shifted towards the silent figures of Becky and Sybil, who had accompanied Kintovar but had remained eerily still and unresponsive throughout the battle. Their faces seemed to fixate on the Headmaster.

The Headmaster turned her attention to them. Her questioned, "Are you the two spies I've heard about, the ones who betrayed the kingdom?"

Despite the Headmaster's inquiries, neither Becky nor Sybil offered any response. They remained silent and motionless.

The Headmaster, perhaps surprisingly, displayed a degree of magnanimity as she continued. "Very well, if you won't speak, I'll assume that your actions speak for themselves. While I do find your actions to be an act of treason, I'll forgive your betrayal now that the war is over, though you haven't said a word. Agree to serve me faithfully and I can overlook this little mishap."

The Headmaster and her mages celebrated and began to speak of feasting off of what they believed to be Kintovar's defeat, but while doing so, there was a sudden and unexpected turn of events. Kintovar, seemingly unharmed and unruffled by the magical onslaught she had endured, rose from the ground. She brushed off her clothing casually and with a smile, addressed the stunned onlookers.

"I've been playing dead for too long. Just look at my coat, it’s all dirtied up now." Kintovar declared with a hint of amusement.

The shock and surprise on the faces of the Headmaster, the mages, Roselle, and Risebelle were wide spread. Their jaws dropped in disbelief.

"It seems you all get excited too easily. Did you truly believe I would go down without being prepared for war? You’re still naïve about me, aren’t you? It shows how little you think of my technology."

Aimathema's disbelief was evident seeing this. "How are you still alive?"

Kintovar, unfazed by the Headmaster's incredulity, responded with a wry smile. "It's simple geometry. My attire is crafted from a material that possesses unique properties. It's not just my coat; my entire outfit, from my clothes to my headphones and sunglasses, is imbued with magic-resistant properties."

While Kintovar spoke, she gestured to her attire, emphasizing the significance of her clothing in her survival. The others in the area exchanged glances realizing that her unconventional attire had played a crucial role in her resilience.

The Headmaster's frustration grew while trying to comprehend Kintovar's explanation. "Magic-resistant clothing?" she echoed with a hint of annoyance. "Such a thing exists?"

Kintovar nodded in response. "Indeed, it does," she affirmed. "It just goes to show the power of blending technology and magic, something I believe in wholeheartedly."

Kintovar's words carried a resolute tone as she continued, "Do you see now why technology deserves a place at the forefront of our world? It can not only complement but also challenge the conventional powers of magic. Now then..."

With flourish, Kintovar revealed her BG-356, a formidable weapon of mass destruction. She held it with a steady grip, her eyes fixed on the Headmaster,

"Shall we begin?"